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Cipriani ‘just missed out’ on RWC

Stuart Lancaster sympathised with Danny Cipriani after the England back missed out on the final Rugby World Cup squad.

Cipriani had been backed to make the cut after impressing off the bench against France last weekend, including scoring a try.

The England head coach suggested that Cipriani had only just been left out after performing well in training.

"Danny Cipriani pushed really hard at 10 and 15 but we play games in training all the time. It's tough on Danny. He's improved an awful lot but he's just missed out to those who play in specialist positions," Lancaster told reporters.

"Every time we meet, I meed all of the players one-to-one. Over the last two days I've done the same."

"I told the majority of players yesterday and some this morning."

Lancaster added that England felt in a good place after ten weeks so far preparing for the competition, while acknowledging that the selection process had been very difficult.

"It’s really positive that we have such depth and options to choose from. Selection wasn’t easy and it is tough to leave anyone out but it’s important to stress that the players not in this group are still part of our wider squad and could come in at any point.

"After ten weeks in camp we have made our final selection of players and we believe we have a great group to take us into the tournament.

"With three weeks to go before we play Fiji we feel we are in good shape as we head into next Saturday’s game against Ireland.

“As the excitement builds around the tournament we are looking forward to the country getting behind England and we know this group of players will represent the nation with pride."